Sony has admitted that hackers have accessed the personal details of millions of PlayStation Network users that may include credit card details.

The network's 77 million users have been told by e-mail that they are at risk of fraud and warned to keep a close eye on their bank accounts.

After almost a week of claims by Sony that its PlayStation Network was undergoing maintenance, the company finally admitted that it had been hit by a hacking attack.

Download this free guide

The importance of web security

Join us as we take a look at the different approaches you can take in order to bolster your web security. We find out how to identify and address overlooked web security vulnerabilities, how security controls affect web security assessment results and why web opportunities must be met with appropriate security controls.

By submitting my Email address I confirm that I have read and accepted the Terms of Use and Declaration of Consent.

By submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.

You also agree that your personal information may be transferred and processed in the United States, and that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.

The company has now revealed that the hackers stole names, addresses, e-mail addresses, birthdates and PlayStation passwords.

"While there is no evidence credit card data was taken at this time, we cannot rule out the possibility," the company said.

Customers are unhappy that the company did not encrypt the personal information and has taken so long to let them know that the data had been compromised.

Sony is urging users to be on the look out for e-mail, phone and postal scams requesting personal information.

After the data breach at marketing firm Epsilon, some users received e-mails about an application they could download to track whether their information was being misused, but the application recorded everything they typed on their computers, including passwords, according to the Financial Times.

Security experts say PlayStation Network users who used the same passwords for other online services should immediately change those login credentials.

Sony says it is working on increased security for the PlayStation Network, but has given no indication when it will be up and running again.

0 comments

Register

Login

Forgot your password?

Your password has been sent to:

By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy